Editing And Contemplation

You have to start some where at some point in time. When it finally stopped raining this afternoon I got started on editing the trees between the cabin and the scenic byway. I could not get the chainsaw started. I think it has been sitting too long and probably has a gunked up carburetor. That was fine. The intent was to start with the little stuff first to get it out of the way for felling the larger trees that need to go. A pruning saw, shovel and hand clippers worked just fine for the small stuff.



It may be hard to tell from a picture, but it already it looks cleaner. That very much appeals to my sense of order and tidiness.

When the larger trees come out, most of which are the ugly Black Locust, there will be so much more wonderful open space for planting. Smaller understory trees like Dogwood and Witch Hazel would make some nice additions. I am sure there will be other fine choices to consider.



I even have a specimen boulder in this area that will make a fine focal point in the garden to be.



Beyond the notion of the aesthetics involved in the creation of a garden in the wild forest another major motivation for this murderous spree is to make room for some evergreen screening between me and the road. For that I will need more sun.

I wandered up to the road to contemplate the planned general locations for my mixed, undulating and segmented evergreen privacy screening. Would this work with the constraints of the utility easement, the proximity to the road and the dangers of the DOT's long armed hydraulic mowers? Would there be enough space and enough sun? Will it make for a nice garden? I think it will all work out just fine. One thing I have plenty of is space.



In addition to new plantings in and along the edge of the forest, the wide sunny slope below the existing roadside flowerbed will need some more definition. I long ago began the process of editing out the unwanted blackberries and elderberry that owned this space. Elderberry are nice when they bloom, but that is about it. They are rather leggy and rangy the rest of the year. The blackberries and elderberry are in retreat and the next thug living in there that will be attacked in earnest come spring is the Clematis virginiana vine.

I have fondness for Sumac. I like the leaf shape, the persisting red seed heads and the brilliant fall color. The Rhus glabra might be good one to plant. There is an existing grouping of the native Hydrangea arborescens on this slope. Those will stay. Perhaps I could add the Oakleaf, Hydrangea quercifolia instead of Sumac. Another contender is the Plume Poppy, Macleaya cordata.

A large drift of one species will take up a chunk of this slope. I need mass to create any impact in the vast world of the forest.



It is all an odd balance. Here I am trying to create interest and drama so people will notice and it bugs me just a bit when they slow down to rubberneck. You can look, but only so far in. Just maybe a quick peak of the cozy cabin will be left open to view from the road for the winter. The roadside attractions here already include Uncle Ernie, the old chimney and a lush flower meadow surrounded vegetable garden in the summer. There are plans for more of course. A new fence and proper entry gate of uncommon design will add even more intrigue.



Ku'ulei 'Aina slowly gathers form.